Pakistan court ruling a setback for Musharraf

Uncertainty hangs over election
Musharraf has promised to quit the army — widely regarded in Pakistan as the real seat of political power — by Nov. 15 if he is re-elected as president.

However, the attorney general said on Geo television that Musharraf might continue as military chief if the court proceedings dragged on. Qayyum said he hoped a ruling would come within a week after hearings resume.

Adding to the uncertainty, the Election Commission declined to say what would happen if Musharraf won the vote and then was disqualified — whether a new election would be held or the second-place candidate would be considered the new president.

“This is a very sensitive matter. No comment,” commission secretary Kanwar Dilshad said.

Bhutto’s moderate Pakistan People’s Party also nominated a presidential candidate. But with a political deal with Musharraf appearing to be nearer, it was not clear whether Bhutto’s candidate would stay in the running.

Smaller opposition parties already quit Parliament, arguing their lack of participation would erode the legitimacy of the presidential election. Their departure meant Musharraf’s foes would be able to muster few votes.

Both Bhutto, Musharraf are pro-U.S.
Musharraf has been striving for months to reach a deal with Bhutto to create a strong political alliance of like-minded policies. Both Bhutto and Musharraf are pro-U.S. and have called for Pakistanis to unite against extremism.

The amnesty, the result of monthslong negotiations between Bhutto and Musharraf, appeared likely to head off her threat to join the opposition’s ballot boycott.

Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the president signed the National Reconciliation Ordinance, dropping corruption cases dating from between 1986 and 1999 pending against Bhutto and other former officials. The ordinance also amends electoral rules to prevent fraud during parliamentary elections due by January.

Hassan Ahmed Bukhari, a spokesman in London for Bhutto’s party, said it was waiting for formal notification of the amnesty but added it would help “create a better environment in the country.”

“We hope that this will pave the way for national reconciliation in the country,” he said

Bhutto, who plans to return from her self-exile Oct. 18, also wants a constitutional amendment to let her seek a third term as prime minister and a reduction of the president’s sweeping powers. Officials in her party said those issues could be resolved later.

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